OT: Traveling with Toddler

So we are going to Disney World for our vacation in July and I'm terrified to death! I'm traveling with my VERY active toddler who is not yet walking (he's a late walker, at 17 months). We have a connecting flight, and a total flight time of 5 1/2 hours. I have a few questions to list.

1) Stroller: I'm looking for a stroller that is easy to carry, lightweight, easy to fold and that reclines. We will be using this for Disney World, so I want to make sure that my son can take his nap in it. Which one would you recommend? I'm also looking for something not so expensive.

2) I'm also looking for a comfortable carrier. My son can only be so long on the stroller and I want to be able to switch from one to the other. I've seen the ergo, and I've read is up to about 2 years? I woud like it to last a little bit longer than that if possible. I intend to use it in places where we have to walk a lot.

3) Airplane. Suggestions to keep him entertained. I must add that he is not easily entertained by the usual stuff. He rather play with new stuff - like the magazines on the airplaine, seatbelts, or random things on the floor. I'm afraid that he's going to want to crawl. I take that back, I'm pretty sure he will want to crawl. Any suggestions if you have experienced this?

Any other advice is welcome. This is our first time traveling in an airplane with him.

So we are going to Disney World for our vacation in July and I'm terrified to death! I'm traveling with my VERY active toddler who is not yet walking (he's a late walker, at 17 months). We have a connecting flight, and a total flight time of 5 1/2 hours. I have a few questions to list.

1) Stroller: I'm looking for a stroller that is easy to carry, lightweight, easy to fold and that reclines. We will be using this for Disney World, so I want to make sure that my son can take his nap in it. Which one would you recommend? I'm also looking for something not so expensive.

2) I'm also looking for a comfortable carrier. My son can only be so long on the stroller and I want to be able to switch from one to the other. I've seen the ergo, and I've read is up to about 2 years? I woud like it to last a little bit longer than that if possible. I intend to use it in places where we have to walk a lot.

3) Airplane. Suggestions to keep him entertained. I must add that he is not easily entertained by the usual stuff. He rather play with new stuff - like the magazines on the airplaine, seatbelts, or random things on the floor. I'm afraid that he's going to want to crawl. I take that back, I'm pretty sure he will want to crawl. Any suggestions if you have experienced this?

Any other advice is welcome. This is our first time traveling in an airplane with him.

I am so annoyed! I just typed you out this long reply and then lost it somehow. Anyway. I was so afraid of flying with my then 15 month old and she did really well. I have a combi stroller which, to me, is a great compromise of features between an umbrella and a full size stroller. BRU has some different models you could try. It has survived being gate checked for several flights so far.

I think the only carrier that will get you further than an ergo is one of the framed backpacks. I don't have one of those,but I will say I love the ergo for comfort and convenience. My LO is about 30 pounds and I can carry her comfortably when she wants a break from walking.

As for entertainment, we got lucky and she sleeps on planes. We got a few small toys and books new for the flight. We brought a dvd player, but didnt use it because she just wanted to push the buttons.

Good luck!

I am so annoyed! I just typed you out this long reply and then lost it somehow. Anyway. I was so afraid of flying with my then 15 month old and she did really well. I have a combi stroller which, to me, is a great compromise of features between an umbrella and a full size stroller. BRU has some different models you could try. It has survived being gate checked for several flights so far.

I think the only carrier that will get you further than an ergo is one of the framed backpacks. I don't have one of those,but I will say I love the ergo for comfort and convenience. My LO is about 30 pounds and I can carry her comfortably when she wants a break from walking.

As for entertainment, we got lucky and she sleeps on planes. We got a few small toys and books new for the flight. We brought a dvd player, but didnt use it because she just wanted to push the buttons.

I get that. Â Is your DH going too? Â That will help to have 2 laps to go back and forth on. Â This last trip I was by myself with my super active toddler. Â The flight out went so well I called my pede to see what I could give him on the flight home to help him sleep.

Good luck!Â

I get that. Â Is your DH going too? Â That will help to have 2 laps to go back and forth on. Â This last trip I was by myself with my super active toddler. Â The flight out went so well I called my pede to see what I could give him on the flight home to help him sleep.

We just did a 10 hour flight to the US from Germany and of course back. It was fine. She did want to walk, but she slept a lot too. We brought her a travel DVD player, a book of paper to color on, a magnadoodle, and snacks. She liked playing with the seat back trays and the water in the bathroom more than anything.

The airlines allow you to bring food and drinks for children so we brought bottles of pediasure because we knew she wouldnt eat a lot of airplane food and we brought her packages of crackers and things like that.

We just did a 10 hour flight to the US from Germany and of course back. It was fine. She did want to walk, but she slept a lot too. We brought her a travel DVD player, a book of paper to color on, a magnadoodle, and snacks. She liked playing with the seat back trays and the water in the bathroom more than anything.

The airlines allow you to bring food and drinks for children so we brought bottles of pediasure because we knew she wouldnt eat a lot of airplane food and we brought her packages of crackers and things like that.

Darn it! I hate typing out long responses and losing them! so sorry :( Thank you for suggesting the combi stroller - I've been looking at it and I like it. Plus it has great reviews! It is right around the budget I had planned.

The framed backpacks look like such a hassle. Ive seen the manduca ones, but they only sell them in Europe. With the shipping alone I would be able to buy the ergo lol I think I should just go for the ergo, thanks!

Yeah, my son loves pushing buttons. I know that a dvd player is not a good idea because he will do everything to it except watch it lol

Darn it! I hate typing out long responses and losing them! so sorry :( Thank you for suggesting the combi stroller - I've been looking at it and I like it. Plus it has great reviews! It is right around the budget I had planned.

The framed backpacks look like such a hassle. Ive seen the manduca ones, but they only sell them in Europe. With the shipping alone I would be able to buy the ergo lol I think I should just go for the ergo, thanks!

Yeah, my son loves pushing buttons. I know that a dvd player is not a good idea because he will do everything to it except watch it lol

1) We have a Chicco Liteway and I love it. It fully reclines and has a cup holder and a small storage area underneath. You can fold it with one hand and it "locks" in the folded position automatically so it's nice when you have a kid to carry at the same time! Here's a link: http://www.chiccousa.com/gear/strollers/liteway/liteway-surf.aspx

2) No idea about the carrier.

3) We brought my daughters monkey backpack leash to the airport with us and we had an aisle seat on the plane so she could "wander" the aisle as far as her leash would go. We also brought snacks and crayons and a coloring book. We flew from Washington to NY with no meltdowns.

Good luck on your trip and have fun at Disney World!! :)

1) We have a Chicco Liteway and I love it. It fully reclines and has a cup holder and a small storage area underneath. You can fold it with one hand and it "locks" in the folded position automatically so it's nice when you have a kid to carry at the same time! Here's a link: http://www.chiccousa.com/gear/strollers/liteway/liteway-surf.aspx

2) No idea about the carrier.

3) We brought my daughters monkey backpack leash to the airport with us and we had an aisle seat on the plane so she could "wander" the aisle as far as her leash would go. We also brought snacks and crayons and a coloring book. We flew from Washington to NY with no meltdowns.

Thanks for your ideas :) I think if he walked it would make it a little bit easier because I could let him walk around the airport and let him get all the energy out lol But since he crawls, I can't let him crawl on the floor :( or can I? lol

Thanks for your ideas :) I think if he walked it would make it a little bit easier because I could let him walk around the airport and let him get all the energy out lol But since he crawls, I can't let him crawl on the floor :( or can I? lol

Since he likes to crawl see what you can do about getting the bulk head seating. I think thats what it is called anyway. Its the first row of seat after first class or business class. There is usually a bit of floor space in front of you. You may be able to put him down and let him play for a bit that way. That is what my friend did when she flew from PA to CA. She said it helped a lot. Thats the only suggestion I have. I have yet to fly with my toddler. And, the thought of it terrifies me :)

Good Luck and I hope you have a blast at Disney World!!!!

Since he likes to crawl see what you can do about getting the bulk head seating. I think thats what it is called anyway. Its the first row of seat after first class or business class. There is usually a bit of floor space in front of you. You may be able to put him down and let him play for a bit that way. That is what my friend did when she flew from PA to CA. She said it helped a lot. Thats the only suggestion I have. I have yet to fly with my toddler. And, the thought of it terrifies me :)

I would suggest requesting specific seats like the front row so nobody will be in front of you- you will need the space and maybe he can even move around a bit there as well. We traveled overseas with our daughter twice so far the first time at 1.5-2 months and again at about 18-19 months. She was better as an infant by far! The second time we went was a disaster on the airplane on the way there. The way back was not so bad. Oh yea its a 12 hour flight too. Good luck.

I would suggest requesting specific seats like the front row so nobody will be in front of you- you will need the space and maybe he can even move around a bit there as well. We traveled overseas with our daughter twice so far the first time at 1.5-2 months and again at about 18-19 months. She was better as an infant by far! The second time we went was a disaster on the airplane on the way there. The way back was not so bad. Oh yea its a 12 hour flight too. Good luck.

I totally understand. My DD is non-stop. I would HAVE to by her a seat just to "try" to get her to sit still for 5 mins. At some point we are going to have to fly with her. I just keep putting it off. LOL

I totally understand. My DD is non-stop. I would HAVE to by her a seat just to "try" to get her to sit still for 5 mins. At some point we are going to have to fly with her. I just keep putting it off. LOL

Someone else brought that up, and I think that's a great idea! I'll call and request it, hopefully it's available. Thanks! I have to travel less than half of that, and I'm freaking out. I don't know how you guys do it! lol

Someone else brought that up, and I think that's a great idea! I'll call and request it, hopefully it's available. Thanks! I have to travel less than half of that, and I'm freaking out. I don't know how you guys do it! lol

Initially, we were going to the Grand Canyon and Colorado, but we were driving. We changed our plans because the package that we got was really cheap lol I just keep telling myself that it has to be done lol I constantly find myself wanting to talk myself out of it for fear of how he'll react. Then I've read stories of passengers being kicked out of the plane due to temper tantrums! I don't want that to be me :(

Initially, we were going to the Grand Canyon and Colorado, but we were driving. We changed our plans because the package that we got was really cheap lol I just keep telling myself that it has to be done lol I constantly find myself wanting to talk myself out of it for fear of how he'll react. Then I've read stories of passengers being kicked out of the plane due to temper tantrums! I don't want that to be me :(

I bet everything will be ok. I persoanlly worry about the return flight then the initial flight. In the initial flight everything is new and exciting and they are amazed and looking around taking it all in. The return flight is old news and they need to be entertained. Thats where my fear takes me anyway. I bet he will do great though! And, you will have worried for nothing :)

I bet everything will be ok. I persoanlly worry about the return flight then the initial flight. In the initial flight everything is new and exciting and they are amazed and looking around taking it all in. The return flight is old news and they need to be entertained. Thats where my fear takes me anyway. I bet he will do great though! And, you will have worried for nothing :)

I bet everything will be ok. I persoanlly worry about the return flight then the initial flight. In the initial flight everything is new and exciting and they are amazed and looking around taking it all in. The return flight is old news and they need to be entertained. Thats where my fear takes me anyway. I bet he will do great though! And, you will have worried for nothing :)

I bet everything will be ok. I persoanlly worry about the return flight then the initial flight. In the initial flight everything is new and exciting and they are amazed and looking around taking it all in. The return flight is old news and they need to be entertained. Thats where my fear takes me anyway. I bet he will do great though! And, you will have worried for nothing :)

I bet everything will be ok. I persoanlly worry about the return flight then the initial flight. In the initial flight everything is new and exciting and they are amazed and looking around taking it all in. The return flight is old news and they need to be entertained. Thats where my fear takes me anyway. I bet he will do great though! And, you will have worried for nothing :)

I bet everything will be ok. I persoanlly worry about the return flight then the initial flight. In the initial flight everything is new and exciting and they are amazed and looking around taking it all in. The return flight is old news and they need to be entertained. Thats where my fear takes me anyway. I bet he will do great though! And, you will have worried for nothing :)

I bet everything will be ok. I persoanlly worry about the return flight then the initial flight. In the initial flight everything is new and exciting and they are amazed and looking around taking it all in. The return flight is old news and they need to be entertained. Thats where my fear takes me anyway. I bet he will do great though! And, you will have worried for nothing :)

I bet everything will be ok. I persoanlly worry about the return flight then the initial flight. In the initial flight everything is new and exciting and they are amazed and looking around taking it all in. The return flight is old news and they need to be entertained. Thats where my fear takes me anyway. I bet he will do great though! And, you will have worried for nothing :)

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